How to look feminine and rock a skirt! – A style interview with Carin

I discovered Carin on Instagram where she is quickly amassing an army of raving fans. No surprise as her outfits are fun, stylish and bold. I wanted to know about this Dutch lady who lives in one of my favorite cities: Amsterdam!

Can you tell us a little bit more about yourself?

I’m from the Netherlands, I live in Amsterdam with my husband and our 10 year old son. I work as a paralegal for a television broadcasting company. I love working out, baking healthy food and I’m usually online, f.i. on Instagram or reading blogs and online magazines.

As a point of reference which age group do you belong to or perhaps you are willing to share your age?

I’ll be 50 in a couple of months. I can’t believe I just shared that with the world!!

Can you tell us a bit more about what you do and why you started sharing your photos on Instagram?

I’ve always been interested in fashion, even as a little girl. I would drive my mother crazy, wanting to dress according to the latest trends and always begging her to buy me things!

People always come up to me and compliment me on my clothes or ask me where I have bought them. This is the reason I started my Instagram page. Also, I really enjoy the creative process of making the pictures. I’m a perfectionist, so a lot of time goes into that!

How would you describe your own style?

My style is definitely very feminine, sometimes classic but always with a little twist like a pop of colour or a funny handbag. I’m not very good at casual. I like heels, skirts and dresses.

How has your style developed over the years?

I used to wear mostly black in my 20’s and 30’s. That certainly has changed. Also, I used to be less confident about myself and that of course reflects on the way you dress. I’m not afraid to stand out anymore, so I dress more frivolous en colourful.

What would you consider the most important components of your style?

Skirts, skirts and skirts, haha! And heels of course. I mix high street with vintage and the occasional designer piece. In the 90’s I used to buy a lot of designer clothes, I still wear them.

Where do you live and how does that influence your style?

I live in Amsterdam, which is a very liberal city. You can wear anything you like over here, nobody cares. I love that.

Do you feel you have a signature style?

That would be a full midi skirt with a black turtleneck and high heeled booties. I think I own more than 50 of those skirts, every time I see one with another print or in an unusual colour I just have to have it.

What inspires your outfit choices the most?

Usually I get inspired by streetstyle photos, like on Instagram. I used to read a lot of fashion magazines, but I just can’t find the time lately. I also watch the main fashion shows online.

Do you take things like color profiling or body type into account when you dress?

Of course I know what works for me and what not. I know I can’t wear skinny jeans for instance, my legs look too thin in them, so I don’t wear them, or only with a long sweater. As to colours: I would wear any colour!

Has your style changed at all after turning 40?

Not in the way of dressing more mature. I did start exercising in my 40’s, which makes me feel more confident about my body and has lead me to be able to dress without having to worry about certain aspects of my body like I did before.

Do you believe in dressing ‘age appropriately’ and what does it mean to you?

No, I think you can wear anything you like as long as it suits your body. If you’ve still got great legs, just flaunt them!

Would you say that at this stage of your life you are now more, or less interested in fashion, style and the way you look?

I would say I have always been interested in the way I look, that hasn’t changed. I’ve never been the one to follow trends and that hasn’t changed either. What has changed is that I feel that I look more put together then I used to. I don’t think I can get away with a bare face or unkempt hair anymore.

Why is the way you look important to you?

It makes me feel so much better if I look good!

Do you follow trends? And if yes, which trends excite you at the moment?

I usually don’t follow trends, but of course I do get influenced by what people are wearing in the street or by what’s in the shops. I can appreciate trends without following them myself, like the 70’s trend right now. I love it on others, but I’ll just wear the occasional flares or suede skirt, which I already owned, and keep to my own style.

Do you have any fashion and style tips for women over 40?

• Take care of your body. You will feel more confident if you look the best you can, so get moving.
• Make sure you’re well groomed. I feel you can’t get away with chipped nail polish or dark roots anymore after 40, it doesn’t look cute anymore.
• Style doesn’t have to be expensive, just make sure your clothes fit well. Find a good tailor to make small adjustments. It can make a world of difference. Or do it yourself, of course.
• Go online for inspiration, take screenshots of outfits you like and save them in a separate album on your phone or laptop. Use those pictures for reference when you go shopping or when you go through your wardrobe. Pinterest, Instagram, blogs, they’re a great source for fashion inspiration!
• And finally, prepare your daily outfits the evening before. Clothes, accessories, underwear, shoes, bag etc., put it all together. That way you’ll be less likely to have an outfit crisis in the morning and you can sleep a little longer. Which is great for your looks!

Anything further you would like to add?

I would like to thank you for asking me to do this interview. Your website is a great place for women to get inspired and I’m so honoured to be a little part of it.

Want so see more, you can find Carin on Instagram!

Which of Carin’s outfits is your favorite?

Like this post? Share it on Pinterest!

Want to get more articles from 40+style in your inbox, subscribe here.

You can also connect with 40+style on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest.

Support 40+style by using the links in our articles to shop. As an associate for Amazon and many other brands, we receive a small commission (at no cost to you) on qualifying purchases which enables us to keep creating amazing free content for you. Thanks!